Birdproofing for starlings and sparrows



Dec. 1942 I J. s. PELES 2,306,080

BIRDPROOFING FOR STARLINGS AND SPARROWS Filed Jan. '7, 1942 WSIIZ/ZZIOVENTOR. 2 M A W Patented Dec. 22, 1942 BIRDPROOFING FORSTARLINGS AND SPABROWS Claims.

This invention relates to birdprooflng and has particular reference tosuch devices in relation to starlings and sparrows.

The birdproofing that has heretofore been known has been satisfactoryprincipally for the larger birds such as pigeons, but has not beenoperative to suppress the nuisance of starlings and sparrows alightingon the ledges of buildings. In fact, these small birds frequently builttheir nests right in the pigeon proofing, which they often foundfacilitated the building of their nests. In certain localities,starlings and sparrows are a much worse nuisance than pigeons. Usually,at night, they revert again and again to the buildings they like tofrequent. I have observed that they will obtain a grip on a thin wire,and succeed in standing thereon, a feat which pigeons cannot accomplish.Having once managed to alight on the birdproofing they proceed to findtheir way'to a comfortable position on the ledge between the projects ofthe birdproofing.

Accordingly, starlings and sparrows have presented a problem which haslong battled the art, and the solution for which could not apparently befound by obvious expedients or by multiplying obstructions. Also it wasnecessary to bear in mind that the cost of the birdprooflng must notbecome prohibitive. It was only after considerable study of the habitsof starlings and sparrows, and experimentation with different kinds ofbirdproofing that I developed the present invention.

One object, therefore, of the invention is to provide birdproofing forstarlings and sparrows which shall overcome the difiiculties abovementioned.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such birdproofingwhich shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and adapted forquantity production.

Another object of the invention is to provide birdprooiing for starlingsand sparrows which shall not cause injury to pigeons attempting toalight.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novelcombinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in theirpreferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, andillustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated bythe same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective isometric viewshowing a birdproofing element em- I bodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blank for forming the same.

Fig. 3 is an end View showing a modification.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation showing a fragment of anothermodification.

Figs. 6, 'Z, 8 and 9 are fragmentary isometric perspective views showingdifferent modifications according to the invention.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized whenall of its features and instrumentalitles are combined in one and thesame structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less thanthe whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the inventionappertains, that the same may be incorporated in several diiierentconstructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merelyas showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, l0 denotes birdproofing embodyingthe invention. The same consists of a one piece strip member of sheetmetal which may be made to any desired length to extend along a ledge ofa building that is to be protected from starlings and sparrows.Preferably the structure i6 also possesses ample width that it may becapable of covering the average ledge. but if the ledge be quite wide,two or more structures H3 may be placed side by side thereon. Theconstruction of the birdproofing it may be more readily understood byreference to Fig. 2. Here a blank in the form of a plane member I! isformed with spaced cut outs i2 forming opposed free ended tongues Iii,and intervening opposed members It which are integrally united at I5.Desirably the portions i3 and It are cut to taper toward thelongitudinal center line of the member H, the portions It being quite asnarrow as practical for a purpose later described. Now the member i I isbent along a central longitudinal line which passes through theconnecting portions is but is somewhat spaced from the points it of theelements i3. Obviously this bending is very easily effected, and itresults in the provisions of two like sections I? in the birdprooflngit, which sections may be formed with flanges as for seourement to aledge of the building. Thus each section comprises a longitudinal baseportion rigidly interconnecting its projections, the sections themselvesbeing inseer AVILABLE Copy terconnectcd solely at the portions iii. Incompleting the birdprooiing Hi, the free ended elements are bentoutwardly as shown at Ida, whereas the members [4, due to the spacingbetween the sections H, are downwardly divergent as shown at Ma. Theportions llisbecomc generally like points as indicated at l5a.

It is thus seen that the birdproofing it! comprises a plurality ofsections, each having upwardly projecting portions terminatingsubstantially in points, certain of the projections l3a being free endedat it and other intermediate projections Ha being integrally united attheir point portions l5a. Also the projections lilo diverge upwardlywhile those at 5:: converge upwardly. Thus a large number projectionsare provided by a. very simple, compact structure cov-' ering a largearea.

starlings and sparrows will be unable to alight on such blrdproofing,because they will be hindered by the points i5a and i3, and because ofthe thin or relatively sharp longitudinal edges of said projections, andbecause the feet of the birds cannot obtain a satisfactory hold on theflat sheet metal of which the projections are formed. Thus the birdscannot encircle and grasp these projections, as they are relativelywide, except at their points. Hence these birds cannot alight on thisbirdprooilng as they can on wires, however thin. Accordingly these birdswill be unable to nest in this blrdprooflng.

Pigeons are also prevented from alighting. but if they should attempt todo so because their legs are longer than those oi? starlings andsparrows. they will not be injured by the points. because the height oithe points above the bottom oi the birdprooilng is relatively small.Thus complaints irom pigeon ianoiers and others are avoided.

In Figs. 3 and i is shown a modification I! such as to assure that eventhe smallest of star'- lings and spmowc will be unable to client on ,thebuilding. This structure is generally like that at ill, and may includesections 20 having tree ended elements at and members It intor connectedat their upper ends at 2.3. Formed integral with one or the sections isa. flange 24 having an integral member 25 having a series oi upwardextending Points 25' lyin bcrollcl to the sections 28 and preferablyentrally thcrebetween. These points :6 supplement the points oi theprojections .21, 22.

In Fig. is shown a anodised birdprooiing 21, comprising h plane stripmember oicheet metal having I; all! mitlfil'l Zl iilimt d with itfiddlillll flange it and having upward projecting portions IIterminating in points it. the projections it are flat and mom thin orshare crises and are relatively wide except at their ,lelut portions totime prevent sparrows and starl h I leg as described {or the suppressesin. It is or course understood that a plurality or these lags ireirigllslit= Gil hers ll may be diseases in relatively close erei leirelation to each other along etuiidlne eeee.

in Fig. 9 is shown a modeled undertones as consisting of a compressstrip member forming a case part it rer se eureinerlt to a lease an havlag upward sir-teasing projections at on opscs te edges thereon and someuse tiiebreleeuqss is. re conserve nietei= sl. tliesesroieeuens as arestreets outiengitudinslly or the en osette-r, so that part or the Baseat narrowed ates. 'Tro assure ample encourages co'gerese; the sectionsit are staggered er onset fl ers ease other lesstnwise oi the iitiiii;one no in. planes that may be parallel to each other and are transverseto the strip. The advantages and mode of operation stated for thobirdproofing ill will apply to that at 32.

In Fig. '7 is shown a modified birdprooflng 36 consisting of a one-piecestrip member forming a base plate 31 and having a multiplicity of spacedstaggered integral points 38 and openings 39 formed incidentally to thecutting out of said tongues. A very large coverage is obtained by thisbirdproofing against starlings and sparrows, and thin or sharp edges 60are formed on three sides of each projection, but the points areeliminated to avoid any injury to the birds. However, the projections 38may be pointed if desired. In other respects, the advantages of thebirdproofing 36 are like those hereinbefore described.

In Fig. 8 is shown a modified birdproofing M having a base securingstrip or plate 42 and a multiplicity of upward extending projections 43thereto secured in any suitable manner, and being like those at 3B and3d, except that they lie in a variety of different vertical planes, andrelatively close together.

In Fig. 9 is shown a modified birdproofing 44 comprising a plurality ofupwardly projecting pointed elements 45 secured together in any suitablemanner at t? and at least one of them having a lateral anch -r flange41. The projections 45 are upwardly flared relatively to each other andwhen such devices 44 are used closely together they are highly effectiveagainst starlings and sparrows, because the elements 45 form relativelythin double edged wide tongues or blades. effectively pointed at theirends 48, these ends lying in an arc. The device 44 may also be used atcorners and as a supplement to other birdprooflng herein disclosed.

All the different forms of birdproofing have certain essentialadvantages of that in Fig. l and will keep off starlings and sparrowswithout inluring pigeons.

It is thus seen that I have provided birdprooting for starlings andsparrows which fulfills the -objects of the invention and is welladapted for practical use, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

I claim:

1. A device including birdproofing to prevent starlings and sparrowsfrom alighting on the ledge of a building, including a one pieceelongated member comprising upward projecting elements consisting ofsheet metal and terminating in upwardly extending relatively pointedends, said projections being relatively wide and having relatively thinedges longitudinally below said pointed ends, said projecting elementsbeing disposed in a plurality of rows and being so closely spaced as toprevent said birds from nlighting thorebetween, each of said elementslying in 0. plane generally parallel to said rows. said birdprcofingbeing of such height above the ledge that said pointed ends will notcause injury to pigeonsettempting to alight on the ledge. and means forsecuring said projections to the ledge, eeidoroleotions including freeended elements and members integrally united at their upper ends. andspaced base portions being provided uniting certain or said elements andmembers in a plurality or rows.

the device including birdproofing to prevent starlings and sparrows fromslishting on the ledge of a building including a one piece clon gatedinernber comprising upward projecting olenients consisting of sheetmetal and terminating in upwardly extending relatively pointed ends,said projections being relatively wide and having relatively thin edgeslongitudinally below said pointed ends, said projecting elements beingdisposed in a plurality of rows and being so closely spaced as toprevent said birds from alighting 'therebetween, each of said elementslying in a plane generally parallel to said rows, said birdproofingbeing of such height above the ledge that said pointed ends will notcause injury to pigeons attempting to alight on the ledge, and means forsecuring said projections to the ledge, said birdproofing being providedwith parallel, separated base portions carrying said projectingelements, certain of the latter being united at their upper ends, onebase portion having a flange carrying upward extending projections.

3. A device including birdproofing to prevent starlings and sparrowsfrom alighting on the ledge of a building, including a sheet metal striplongitudinally folded to provide a plurality of spaced sections eachhaving free ended upward projecting elements and upward projectingmenibers therebetween, adjacent members on said sections being unitedalong the fold line of said strip, with the said strip thus having aplurality of spaced point like portions that constitute the junctionsbetween said sections.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein joined members are downwardlydivergent and the members and elements of each section are upwardlydivergent.

5. A device according to claim 3, wherein a flange is integrallyconnected to one of said sec tions to lie between the sections and isprovided with upward extending projections lying between the sections.

JULIUS STANLEY PELES.

